Community Engagement
Throughout the community, there is incredible momentum around community engagement and mobilization. Even still, decisions are often made without engaging the people most impacted by them. In order to achieve our vision and mission, we have to ensure our community members are holding the power to drive strategies and action that will help them thrive.
Community Members who have been equipped with the necessary training and tools to effect positive change in areas that directly impact them and those around them and are engaged in the work of RMP are referred to as “Civic Influencers.” Civic Influencers make up the RMP Community Coalition, which is led by the RMP Community Coalition Council.
What Do Civic Influencers Do?
Civic Influencers are compensated for their expertise and time and provided the training and support needed to:
- Participate in project teams alongside community leaders and practitioners
- Gather voice and perspective from their peers, other community members, and community leaders
- Mobilize the larger community and advocate for change (includes supporting ballot initiatives, state legislation, and other local policies)
This is intended to be a Leadership Springboard! By building the skills and experience of community members, we can create a pipeline of qualified individuals who are equipped to take on these important roles and hold leadership positions across the community.
Civic Influencer Training
All Civic Influencers receive dedicated coaching and training to help them build the skills and competencies to be leaders in this work. Not only will they be able to serve on the Community Coalition Council, but they also will be prepared to serve on other boards and councils within the community.
They will also have opportunities to participate in specialized training from the RMP Team and other content experts.
More information coming soon about specific training offerings!
Moving from ‘Inform’ to ‘Shifting Power’
A critical component of this is how we support those most impacted by decisions to be involved and hold leadership roles. The Community Engagement Spectrum is a tool that helps guide this approach and is intended to be a flashlight that guides our work, not a hammer.
This equity continuum was created by StriveTogether (with input from the RMP Team) and is designed to help partnerships work toward creating equity in their communities by including those most impacted by decisions in decision making for and take up leadership in their communities.
The journey from ‘Inform’ to ‘Shifting Power’ is illustrated in the Community Engagement Spectrum below. Click the link below to see examples of what moving across the spectrum looks like in practice.
Latest Effort: 27J Schools Mill Levy Override
In November 2022, 27J Schools passed its first mill levy override in over two decades, securing much needed funding for school safety, career development opportunities, and increased teacher pay. I am 27J’s work to mobilize and rally the community together resulted in the majority of votes in favor of the mill levy override, 56% to 44%. The passage of this mill levy override is a historic and much-needed win for youth, families, and the larger community. Congratulations 27J!!!
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| Members of the RMP’s Community Coalition and staff celebrate the mill levy override with Dr. Chris Fiedler, Superintendent of 27J Schools and RMP Co-Chair. |
Overheard at 27J Schools’ Election Watch Party…
I’ve been through this seven times. This community rallying together is what’s different.
What we did here together has to be part of our culture, not just an event.
How RMP’s Community Coalition Supported 27J Schools
Over the last several months, a community coalition mobilized through RMP and worked with I am 27J to help educate and turn out voters in order to pass this mill levy override. We connected with over 900 community members at over 20 community meetings and events, educating youth and families on the importance of the mill levy override and how every single person can make a difference by voting ‘yes’ on 5B.
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The passage of this mill levy override shows that community-driven advocacy works, and while this effort was the initial focus for RMP’s Community Coalition, it certainly won’t be the last as RMP continues to forge ahead in closing equity gaps across our community. Click the button below to other photos and snapshots from this effort.
Thank You To Our Supporters
The work of RMP’s community coalition would not be possible the invaluable support RMP received from: 
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Get Involved
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Civic Influencer, we want to talk to you! An application will be available in English and Spanish soon, but in the meantime please reach out via email to Elena Mendoza at ElenaMendoza@RMPBackbone.org to get involved!
Learn More
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Contact Elena Mendoza, Director of Community Engagement, at ElenaMendoza@RMPBackbone.org with additional questions or to learn more. |